Gentleman Reg : Leisure Life, Vol. 1

<img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/gentlemanreglifeofleisureepvol1.jpg" alt="Gentleman Reg : Life of Leisure EP, Vol. 1" /><br /> Gentleman Reg returns to EP work with the first of his three <i>Leisure Life</i> EPs, where...
Gentleman Reg : Life of Leisure EP, Vol. 1
8.0 Heavy Head
2012 

Gentleman Reg : Life of Leisure EP, Vol. 1 Ontario’s Reg Vermue has worked with all sorts of other musicians (Broken Social Scene, The Hidden Cameras) north of the border, but is also known up there for his solo material as Gentleman Reg, which finally got some stateside releases in 2008 & 2009 with Little Buildings EP (QRO review) and Jet Black (QRO review).  Now Vermue returns to EP work with the first of his three Leisure Life EPs, where he goes for a more indie-pop sound behind his fey vocals.

Like friend Owen Pallett (QRO live review), Vermue has a high voice that can come off as too precious on first listen, but works more and more as one lets it become part of the artist’s impressive instrumentation.  Admittedly, opener "Waiting Around For Gold" really opens with the precious fey vocals, but grows bigger into some nice indie-pop.  While Vermue has previously had a softer sound, at least some of the time, Leisure Vol. 1 goes for the indie-pop, and Vermue is able to slowly let his personality win you over.  For instance, how can one not like a song whose chorus is "Too drunk to stand" ("Too Drunk")?  And it’s not some sloppy garage-rock party track, but rather catchy and meaningful indie-pop.

Perhaps Vermue will showcase his softer, sadder side on Vol. 2 of Leisure Life (out September 4th), but his indie-pop Vol. 1 certainly catches the ear.

MP3 Stream: "Too Drunk"

{audio}/mp3/files/Gentleman Reg – Too Drunk.mp3{/audio}

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